Funding Description
The Public Charter Schools Grant Program (PCSGP) is a discretionary grant program administered by the California Department of Education, on behalf of the State Board of Education, through funding awarded by the federal Charter Schools Program. PCSGP applications are reviewed by peer evaluators and awarded to school developers to assist in the development and initial operations of newly established or conversion charter schools as well as to assist in the expansion and replication of high-quality charter schools. PCSGP applicants must be a non-profit entity or Local Education Agency at the time of application submission. Individuals and for-profit entities will not meet eligibility requirements.
Eligibility
| Eligible Applicants |
Local educational agencies, nonprofit organizations
|
| Required Eligibility Criteria |
A newly established or conversion charter school may be eligible for a Planning/Implementation/Replication subgrant provided that the school did not begin serving students prior to July 1, 2024. An established charter school may be eligible for an Expansion subgrant. |
| Other Eligibility Considerations |
A developer, as defined by Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) section 4310(5), must have an approved charter petition from an authorized public chartering authority by the due date of the Request for Applications (RFA). If the charter school has an approved charter petition, but is not yet serving students, the applicant must include proof of charter petition approval as part of the PCSGP application. All applicants must submit proof the applicant has notified the authorizer of their intent to apply for PCSGP start-up subgrant funds. |
| Eligible Grade Level(s) |
K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
|
| Eligible Age Level(s) |
Not applicable
|
Funding
| Legal Authority |
Authorized under Title IV, Part C of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) of 1965, as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) (20 United States Code [U.S.C.] 7221-7221j). |
| Source / Type |
State, Federal / Grant
|
| State Fiscal Year |
2026-27
|
| SACS Resource / Revenue Codes |
4610 / 8290
|
| Total Available |
$33,666,515
|
| Recipient Amount |
$250,000 - $1,900,000
|
| Match Requirement |
No
|
| Allocation Formula |
There are three PCSGP Start-Up Subgrants offered through this RFA: New School (Planning and Implementation), Replication, and Expansion. The base funding levels vary according to subgrant type and the proposed instructional type, based on the percentage of classroom-based instructional time required at a physical schoolsite. In addition, the approved 2024 CSP award provides for supplemental funding for applicants that meet specified criteria, which may further support charter school start-up funding needs. The maximum PCSGP subgrant award is $1,900,000, inclusive of both base and eligible supplemental funding, over a 36-month performance period.
|
Important Dates
| Date Application Available |
June 12, 2026
|
| Due Date |
August 14, 2026
|
| Expected Notification Date |
October 21, 2026
|
Additional Information
Contacts
Last Modified:
June 24, 2026
